Donnie Brasco
Based On A True Story
Posing as jewel broker Donnie Brasco, FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone (Johnny Depp) is granted entrance into the violent mob family of aging hitman Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). When his personal and professional lives collide, Pistone jeopardizes his marriage, his job, his life and, ultimately, the gangster mentor he has come to respect and admire. From acclaimed director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral), and featuring an extraordinary supporting cast including Michael Madsen, Anne Heche, Bruno Kirby and James Russo, Donnie Brasco is "one terrific movie!" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone)
Member Reviews
good - SadDadDancing
There's nothing particularly great about this film, especially when compared to all the other amazing gangster movies out there. But I have a soft spot for it, due mainly to the performances. Pacino is great, and I think this is one of Depp's best, despite it being one of his non-quirky roles. I'm also a sucker for undercover cop movies with their intense "is he going to be found out?" scenes, and Donnie Brasco has some of the best.Very good movie, no glory - thenewguy
Often in these cop vs mob movies one side or the other is glorified. Or the individual agent is. This is a movie in which neither side is painted to be more than they are and the agent isn't a hero.
Donnie works undercover for the FBI, making his way into the mob. His ticket in is Lefty, a veteran hit man, who is unable to rise in the organization. As Donnie gets deeper in he finds himself "going native" with his new mob associates and he befriends Lefty. At the same time, he becomes more alienated from his wife and children and he's not getting any support from the FBI.
Donnie finds himself transforming (or transferring) from his normal life (wife, kids, job) into his mob life with death and crime.
It's a beautifully executed drama which, despite having aged a bit, still holds up well over a decade after release. The performances by Depp, Pacino and Heche are amazing. It's two hours of gritty, well performed drama with a well developed story and a strong finale.Donnie Brasco - oracle
well, who could not love Al Pacino! This movie was so well done, and made it to easy to see just how the real life undercover agent could be so taken in by the mob, and the humanity shown by his mob mentor. But when push finally came to shove, he realized he only really saw a romanticized version of a mob member, but even in real life, I doubt he was ever the same person again. Very good gripping movie.
Member Reviews
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good - SadDadDancing
There's nothing particularly great about this film, especially when compared to all the other amazing gangster movies out there. But I have a soft spot for it, due mainly to the performances. Pacino is great, and I think this is one of Depp's best, despite ...Very good movie, no glory - thenewguy
Often in these cop vs mob movies one side or the other is glorified. Or the individual agent is. This is a movie in which neither side is painted to be more than they are and the agent isn't a hero.
Donnie works undercover for the FBI, making his way ...Donnie Brasco - oracle
well, who could not love Al Pacino! This movie was so well done, and made it to easy to see just how the real life undercover agent could be so taken in by the mob, and the humanity shown by his mob mentor. But when push finally came to shove, he realized ...